'We may be Muslim, but we don't want to hurt you': A London schoolgirl's heartfelt letter
A heartbreaking letter, said to have been written by a 14-year-old Muslim schoolgirl, has been found on a London bus in the wake of the Westminster terror attack.
The attack saw central London descend into chaos after 52-year-old Khalid Masood stabbed a policeman to death and mowed down crowds on Westminster Bridge on Wednesday March 22.
Five people died in the attack, including Mr Masood, and at least 40 people were injured.
The attack lasted just 82 seconds.
Detailing her life as a Muslim, the letter was posted to online forum site Reddit by user ‘CRLXZZZ’, who found the letter on the bus almost two weeks after the attack.
The letter was titled ‘Dear stranger, please read my letter. From - a Muslim’.
“I am a Londoner aged 14 years old - I also happen to be a black Muslim,” the letter reads.
“After the tragedies at the Westminster attack I came to the decision that I wanted to do something.”
“After hearing of the attack I was very agitated and scared for the people of London and the victims.”
The author adds that she knew she would be going to school and “people would expect answers”.
One of her classmates asked her where she was the night before but she knew she was joking so she laughed it off.
“We may be Muslim but we don't want to hurt you,” the girl writes.
“We aren't terrorists. Every Saturday I pass through Westminster and I had to think twice about it this time. I was scared that maybe I would be assaulted because of the many labels that come with wearing a hijab.”
“It's scary being a Muslim as these horrible acts of terror are happening and I hope that I can still live here 50 years down the line, and that my future children will get so see the beauty of London and the amazing people who live here.”
The post has been met with support for the girl with one Reddit user commenting “genuinely heartbreaking”.
Another person said they are a Muslim and in the same situation.
“We must learn lessons from our religion and realise that by definition as Muslims we will always be struggling with this life one way or another – the solution is in our religion,” the person said.
Today's top news stories - April 4
